From August 1st to August 10th, a series of fires linked to lithium-ion batteries made headlines across the globe. These incidents demonstrate the continued risk posed by lithium-ion batteries, which are commonly used in devices ranging from laptops to electric vehicles (EVs). While these batteries power our everyday lives, the risk of fire is real, and the incidents reported are just a fraction of the ongoing global issue. This blog post will review several incidents that occurred during this period, highlighting the commonalities in their causes and offering safety recommendations to fire and building safety professionals.
While there may be more fires involving lithium-ion batteries, these are the stories shared from the sources I monitor. Let’s dive into the reports of fires caused by or suspected to have involved lithium-ion batteries.
Incidents of Lithium-Ion Battery Fires (August 1-10, 2024)
Rankin Inlet House Fire Caused by Overheated Laptop
On July 26, 2024, a fire broke out in a house in Rankin Inlet, caused by an overheated laptop that was left on a bed while plugged in and updating its software. The Fire Chief used a fire extinguisher to slow the fire until the fire department arrived. The fire caused significant damage to the house, estimated at $200,000. No injuries were reported. The fire chief noted that closed doors in the house helped prevent the fire from spreading to other rooms.
Incheon EV-Caused Fire Raises Safety Concerns
An electric vehicle battery exploded in the underground parking lot of an apartment complex in Incheon, South Korea. The fire destroyed 140 vehicles and sent 23 people to the hospital for smoke inhalation. It took firefighters over eight hours to extinguish the fire, and many residents were evacuated to temporary shelters. The cause of the explosion is under investigation.
Laptop Battery Explosion in Lincoln Garage
In Lincoln, NE, a faulty e-bike battery exploded in a garage, igniting a fire. The family of three living in the home was alerted by the explosion and evacuated safely. The fire department arrived quickly and prevented the fire from spreading beyond the garage. No injuries were reported.
Person Rushed to Hospital After Laptop Battery Fire
In Cambridgeshire, UK, a person was hospitalized after a fire broke out in their home due to a laptop battery bursting into flames. The fire caused damage to the room, but emergency services contained it before it could spread further.
Fire Officials: Hicksville Fire Caused by 'Lithium-Ion Battery Powered Tool' Left in the Rain
Fire officials in Hicksville, New York, reported that a fire broke out on July 27, 2024, after a lithium-ion battery-powered tool was left in the rain. The tool's battery became waterlogged, which led to the fire. Firefighters arrived at the scene and managed to contain the fire before it spread further. No injuries were reported.
Displaced Winnipeg Family Says Fire That Gutted Home Was Caused by E-Bike
On August 5, 2024, a family in Winnipeg, Canada, was displaced after their home was gutted by a fire that they believe was caused by an e-bike battery. A resident said the bike's battery burst into flames, leading to the fire. Firefighters were called to the scene on Toronto Street and managed to extinguish the fire, but the home was completely destroyed. The family lost all their belongings, including two pet dogs.
Firefighters Respond to E-Bike Battery Explosion in Bourne
On August 2, 2024, Bourne firefighters responded to a report of an e-bike battery explosion in a residential garage on President's Road. The Assistant Fire Chief confirmed that the explosion did not result in a fire but caused significant smoke. Firefighters collected 15 batteries that had exploded from the battery pack and placed them in sand to prevent a thermal runaway. No injuries were reported.
Pensioner Killed in Ferocious House Fire 'Started by E-Scooter Battery'
In Manchester, UK, a fire on August 3, 2024, thought to have been started by an e-scooter battery, killed a man in his 70s. Firefighters were called to the scene in the early morning hours and found the house engulfed in flames. While another man in his 30s managed to escape, the elderly victim was found deceased inside the home. Fire officials are investigating, but the fire is believed to have originated from the e-scooter.
Close Call for Resident as Lithium-Ion Battery Sparks Unit Fire – Dee Why
On August 4, 2024, a man in Dee Why, Australia, narrowly avoided a major fire after a lithium-ion battery for a remote-controlled plane caught fire while charging in his unit. The resident managed to place the burning battery and charger into a fireproof bag and moved it to the balcony. Firefighters from Dee Why and Narrabeen responded, extinguishing the fire and preventing re-ignition by submerging the components in water. No injuries were reported.
Lithium Battery Ignites Fire at Upstate Manufacturing Plant
On August 8, 2024, a fire broke out at the BorgWarner manufacturing plant in Seneca, South Carolina, when a lithium battery on a production line caught fire. Fire crews worked alongside employees to remove the battery and contain it in a firebox. The fire caused significant smoke throughout the facility, and one firefighter was hospitalized for evaluation.
House Fire in Wembley
A fire broke out at a residence in Wembley, London, on August 6, 2024, due to a lithium-ion battery igniting. The London Fire Brigade responded quickly to extinguish the fire, which had spread through the property. The incident is under investigation to determine the exact cause of the battery failure.
Southwest Airlines Flight Diverts After Cell Phone Catches Fire
A Southwest Airlines flight en route to Fort Lauderdale was diverted to Palm Beach International Airport on August 5, 2024, after a cell phone caught fire mid-flight. The flight crew used fire containment bags to secure the phone and prevent further danger. The flight landed safely, and no injuries were reported.
Home in Warner Robins Severely Damaged by Garage Fire
On August 9, 2024, a home in Warner Robins, Georgia, sustained severe damage after a fire broke out in the garage. The fire started after a complication with a lithium battery in a golf cart that had been plugged in for about 15 minutes. The fire quickly spread to the attic, but all residents were able to evacuate safely. The Red Cross was contacted to assist the family.
EV Battery Explosion Destroys House in Ahmedabad
On August 7, 2024, a house in Ahmedabad, India, was destroyed after an e-scooter battery exploded while charging. The explosion occurred early in the morning, triggering a fire that engulfed the home. A rescue operation was launched by the Ahmedabad Fire and Emergency Services, saving three residents. The incident took place in the Vasna area of the city.
Understanding the Hazards of Thermal Runaway
Lithium-ion batteries are widely used due to their high energy density and ability to power a broad range of devices, from smartphones to electric vehicles. However, these batteries can pose serious risks when things go wrong. One of the most dangerous outcomes associated with lithium-ion batteries is thermal runaway, a process that can have catastrophic consequences.
What is Thermal Runaway?
Thermal runaway occurs when a lithium-ion battery becomes unstable, typically due to damage, manufacturing defects, improper charging, or exposure to extreme temperatures. When internal short-circuiting happens within a battery cell, it causes rapid self-heating. This heat can exceed 1,000°F (540°C), decomposing the battery’s internal materials and releasing flammable and toxic gases, such as hydrogen and oxygen (NFPA, 2022; UL, 2023).
The gases released during thermal runaway are highly flammable and can ignite, leading to intense fires. Even more concerning is the potential for a chain reaction. If the heat generated from one cell spreads to adjacent cells in a battery pack, the entire system can go into thermal runaway, causing a fire to intensify and spread quickly. This process can happen in a matter of seconds, giving very little time to react.
The Devastating Effects of Thermal Runaway
Thermal runaway often results in fires that are incredibly challenging to extinguish. Traditional methods of firefighting may be ineffective due to the heat and the chemical reactions occurring within the battery. For instance, in confined spaces like homes, vehicles, or apartments, the buildup of flammable gases from a battery experiencing thermal runaway can result in explosions, blowing out windows and spreading fire throughout the structure (UL, 2023).
These fires are particularly dangerous because lithium-ion batteries burn hotter and faster than traditional combustibles. They can cause severe damage to property and pose significant risks to life.
Understanding the nature of thermal runaway is critical for fire and building safety professionals, as it directly impacts how these incidents are handled and prevented.
How to Prevent Lithium-Ion Battery Fires
Preventing lithium-ion battery fires is important to community risk reduction and fire prevention efforts. Fire safety professionals can use the following recommendations:
Purchase Certified Devices: Ensure all devices, batteries, and chargers are certified by nationally recognized testing laboratories (NFPA, 2022; UL, 2023).
Charge Safely: Do not charge batteries in extreme temperatures or leave devices charging unattended, especially on flammable surfaces (NFPA, 2022; UL, 2023).
Monitor Batteries for Warning Signs: Pay attention to unusual odors, swelling, leaking, or excessive heat from batteries (UL, 2023).
Dispose of Batteries Properly: Recycle batteries at designated centers and never throw them in the trash (UL, 2023; NFPA, 2022).
As these batteries become more integrated into our everyday lives, the potential for fires and explosions increases, making it crucial for fire and building safety professionals to stay informed and proactive. Understanding the hazards, particularly thermal runaway, and implementing preventive measures are key steps in reducing community risk.
Fire prevention and community risk reduction efforts should focus on educating the public about safe usage, handling, and disposal of lithium-ion batteries, as well as ensuring proper safety standards for the devices that rely on them. By staying vigilant and sharing knowledge, we can help prevent further tragedies and ensure a safer future for our communities.
References
13WMAZ Staff. (2023, August 10). Houston County home severely damaged due to fire. 13WMAZ. https://www.13wmaz.com/article/news/local/houston-county-home-severely-damaged-due-to-fire/93-2f7506a6-9424-441c-ac37-9585f47dea77
Boyden, K. (2024, August 3). Pensioner killed in ferocious house fire 'started by e-scooter battery'. Metro News. https://metro.co.uk/2024/08/03/man-70s-dies-e-scooter-sets-fire-house-21353834
Chang, A. (2024, August 5). Displaced Winnipeg family says fire that gutted home was caused by e-bike. CBC News. https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/winnipeg-fire-electric-bicycles-1.7285333
Habib, A. (2024, August 15). Southwest Airlines flight diverts to Palm Beach due to cell phone fire. Simple Flying. https://simpleflying.com/southwest-airlines-diverts-palm-beach-cell-phone-fire/
Fire and Rescue NSW. (2024). Lithium-ion battery fire in Penrith. Fire and Rescue NSW. https://www.fire.nsw.gov.au/incident.php?record=rec9QrgeuwcIeBNub
Middleton, S. (2023, September 11). Cambridge News. Person rushed to hospital after laptop battery explosion in Cambridgeshire home. Cambridge News. https://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/news/local-news/person-rushed-hospital-after-laptop-29669997
Min-ho, J. (2024, August 16). EV-caused fire in Incheon raises concerns about lithium-ion batteries. The Korea Times. https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/nation/2024/08/281_379845.html
National Fire Protection Association. (2022). Lithium-Ion Battery Safety Tip Sheet [PDF file].
Pelletier, J. (2024, August 2). Rankin Inlet house fire caused by overheated laptop on bed. Penticton Herald. https://www.pentictonherald.ca/spare_news/article_ffb947b8-1f70-594a-8a10-35ebc0452198.html
Ponton, T. (2023, August 8). Fire officials: Hicksville fire caused by lithium-ion battery-powered tool left in the rain. News 12 Connecticut. https://connecticut.news12.com/fire-officials-hicksville-fire-caused-by-lithium-ion-battery-powered-tool-left-in-the-rain
Raffray, N. (2023, August 10). Sudbury Avenue, Wembley fire cause identified as battery. Kilburn Times. https://www.kilburntimes.co.uk/news/24508506.sudbury-avenue-wembley-fire-cause-identified-battery/
Rausch, M. J. (2024, August 3). Firefighters respond to e-bike battery explosion. CapeNews.net. https://www.capenews.net/bourne/news/firefighters-respond-to-e-bike-battery-explosion/article_e985d11b-182a-5b01-a179-9b3174cfe92e.html
Shaw, A. (2024, August 8). Lithium battery ignites fire at Upstate manufacturing plant. FOX Carolina. https://www.foxcarolina.com/2024/08/08/lithium-battery-ignites-fire-upstate-manufacturing-plant
Skornia, C. (2024, August 15). ‘We’re lucky to have our house’: Faulty e-bike battery explodes in Lincoln garage. KLKN-TV. https://www.klkntv.com/were-lucky-to-have-our-house-faulty-e-bike-battery-explodes-in-lincoln-garage/
Times of India. (2023, October 20). EV battery explosion destroys house in Ahmedabad. Times of India. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/ahmedabad/ev-battery-explosion-destroys-house-in-ahmedabad/articleshow/112359478.cms
Underwriters Laboratories. (2023). Take Charge of Battery Safety Fact Sheet [PDF file].
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